This year’s BACTA Convention, taking place today, resumes some familiar themes.
Social responsibility is once again high on the agenda as BACTA plans to introduce an industry charter. FOBTs or B2 machines are once more a concern for the membership, but perhaps less so than in previous years. There are also discussions under way on unfair competition from online gambling and some anticipation about the next triennial review.
Clive Efford, Shadow Minister at the DCMS, was slated to make a keynote address to the convention but was unfortunately unable to attend due to more pressing issues regarding Syria in parliament. This left Sarah Harrison, the new chief executive of the Gambling Commission, as the headline speaker.
She only took up the position in October but managed to speak very knowledgably without revealing a great deal and deflected a number of questions from the floor with good grace and some humour.
She said: “The Commission’s position regarding B2 machines is that we are developing future advice and we will look at the player, the product and the environment and focus on all of these with no emphasis on one or the other. The previous advice that we had was that we have not seen sufficient evidence and that it was clear that if the industry did not do more, then moves such as stake reduction might be needed on prudential basis.
“I am beginning to appreciate that B2s are very hard gambling machines that require firm regulation. We are receiving assurance from the industry that they are making progress and minimising harm but the bar is set high and prudential measures may be needed.”
She also warned: “This may also apply to B3 machines (£2 stake, £500 jackpot – which can also be operated in adult gaming centres by BACTA members). We are treating them like for like as it may be possible to lose as much over time with a £2 stake theoretically.”
A highlight of the morning session was a panel event chaired by BACTA’s extremely able chairman, John White. Speakers included Ian Leete from the LGA (trade association for UK councils), Brigid Simmonds from the British Beer and Pub Association, Stuart McPhee from the Gambling Commission and Danian Macadam from Gambling Compliance. They discussed issues such as the triennial review , which will look at stakes and prizes, licence fees and whether there should be a new Gambling Act.
Industry veteran Jimmy Thomas spoke about BACTA’s charity work, which has raised over £3m for Rays of Sunshine, and presented a special award to Tony and Sarah Glanville, who have raised an amazing £15k for the charity from running the marathon and other events.
